I think that a Vulnerability Assessment and a Penetration Test have
different goals in mind.
A Penetration Test in my mind is aimed at testing the response and
detection level of a network as well as demonstrating that there is an
exploitable way in to the network. I see a Penetration Test as being
less useful in auditing the security of the network in terms of specific
vulnerabilities as a Penetration Test is unlikely to penetrate the
network in all the possible ways, seeking only the easiest or most
effective methods. I imagine Penetration Tests demonstrating to a client
that their network is vulnerable and that their response procedures and
detection mechanisms are not up to scratch. I don't see the Penetration
Test providing comprehensive recommendations on securing the entire
network beyond the very general recommendations or those specific to the
compromises used. I feel that a Penetration Test will often recommend
that a Vulnerability Assessment be conducted.
A Vulnerability Assessment should be a comprehensive look from policy
and procedures to implementation of security in the network and should
include such things as patch management, virus protection, user
education, SOE hardening, infrastructure configuration, etc.
In short the penetration test demonstrates that a specific vulnerability
exists and if the detection and response mechanisms were effective while
a Vulnerability Assessment is a comprehensive look at security procedure
and policy from inside the network.
Are they the same? No.
Are they related? Yes.
Can they be offered as part of the same service? Yes but it is rarely
done properly.
-Arkem
----- Original Message -----
From: James Harless [mailto:jharless@kidwellcompanies.com]
To: pen-test@securityfocus.com
Subject: Vulnerability Assessment vs. PenTest
> Where is the line between a Vulnerability Assessment and a
PenTest? In
> other words, which tests do you run which identifies your
assessment as
> a pentest rather than a VA?
>
> And, related, do VAs still have value? Do you feel that a PenTest
> includes everything that a VA would (and more)?
>
> My thoughts are that a VA is just an effort to document all the
> identified and potential vulnerabilities on a network. A PenTest
is an
> attempt to identify those vulnerabilities and then exploit some of
them
> to verify their weakness.
>
>
> James
>
>
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